On the one hand Christians tell me god doesn't intervene in human affairs because we have free will and that would be a violation of our free will. On the other hand, they say prayers aren't answered because it's not God's will. So which is it? Do we have free will or does God's will rule?
2007-07-09 06:48:46 · 9 answers · asked by Mom 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
We have free will to decide whether to follow God's will or not.
2007-07-09 07:01:28 · answer #1 · answered by Deof Movestofca 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We totally have free will.We have the free will to live life as well or as poorly as we see fit.Or the best our personel abilities,will take us.Prayers are answered if we are in GODS Graces ..Are we living the way We know we should.Its Gods will to give everyone their hearts desire,as with any lover you have to take their heart into consideration 1st.You cant give a good deed or deeds and say wheres mine God,You have to know him to know what he wants from you.He will literally let us trip around in the dark, stumbling,sick,thirsty,lonely,depressed.We may lose an eye.Break a back,Catch a untreatable disease,.I think we have to live the truth in our hearts,I guess most of that would be the way we were raised.And listen to it.But in the end its Gods creation he rules..
2007-07-09 14:28:21 · answer #2 · answered by skinnysteve71j 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our will is free to act according to its nature (i.e. sin, we can't chose to flap our arms to fly, etc.). God can intervene and change our nature (sin) according to His free will and therefore He DOES intervene in human affairs. If you're really interested in how a Biblical Christian would answer this question, Romans chapter 9 spells it all out very clearly.
2007-07-09 14:00:39 · answer #3 · answered by KDdid 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The question is, is it really free will to be able to choose between believing in god and not believeing in god? When the consequences of not believing is spending eternity in Hell.
Oh yes, you can choose not to believe in me, but you'll spend an eternity in pain for it. That really isn't a choice, is it?
2007-07-09 14:05:44 · answer #4 · answered by Humanist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, - 2 Timothy 1:9.
2007-07-09 13:54:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
We have free will and so does God. After all, we were created after him by him, him being the model.
2007-07-09 14:11:17 · answer #6 · answered by jefferyspringer57@sbcglobal.net 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have free will.
By free will we can pray to God for his intervention.
"Ask and you will receive."
2007-07-09 13:53:34 · answer #7 · answered by silver wings 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if i had free will,
then i would answer.
2007-07-09 13:53:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear mom,
You do not have "free will" to take Jesus as your Saviour. The Bible tells us very clearly that God has elected or chosen those He was going to save before the foundation of the world..."Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," (Ephesians 1:3-5).
In Romans 9:10-16 we read, "And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy."
And then in John 1:12, 13 we read, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
Study these verses--we can have a desire to be saved but God is the One who saves! People will tell you that you can prayer a certain prayer or be baptized...but these can never save you or assist in salvation. We have to wait on the Lord. The Bible does tell us that "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." FAITH is a synonym for Christ. So then Christ cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. If you desire salvation put yourself in the environment of reading the Bible... This is the environment where God saves. It will not guarantee that you will be saved but if God has chosen you to become saved, it will happen in this environment. Do you recall the 2 thieves that were crucified with Christ? Both were cursing Jesus during their crucifiction. Suddenly one of them says "But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."
That thief got saved right there on the cross! He had no chance to get baptized. He did not say the "sinners prayer." But the Lord had chosen to save him before the foundation of the world and He did just that.
We must patiently wait on the Lord.
2007-07-09 14:18:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋